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After the death of 27 migrants on Wednesday November 24 off Calais (Pas-de-Calais), the French and British authorities immediately pointed out the responsibility of the smugglers. These international, structured networks charge very high prices for crossings.
Behind the crossings of all the dangers to reach the English coasts hide the smugglers, who take advantage of the despair of the migrants. English television found one in a province in northern Iraq. He says he earns 90,000 euros per year to transport illegal immigrants to the United Kingdom via Dunkirk (North). “We reinforce with metal rods and a motor the boats intended for five people so that 15 to 20 people climb on them”, he explains, without scruple.
The smugglers are present all along the migratory route. “They are making a lot of money. They have been in Calais for a long time and know how to manage the business. It is a system “, indicates a migrant from Liberia who tried to cross the Channel the day before against 2,000 euros. Formerly carried out by small-scale fishermen or smugglers, illegal trafficking is now the work of international and organized crime. For migrant aid associations, the response cannot be police, we must rethink the whole right of asylum. Since the start of the year, 1,500 smugglers have been arrested by the French authorities.